Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced that the country's political leaders have reached a consensus to eliminate the constitutional prohibition on the deployment of nuclear weapons, citing the outdated nature of Article 137 in light of current geopolitical realities.
This decision follows Finland's recent vote to lift its own ban on nuclear weapons, highlighting a regional trend among NATO members bordering Russia to reassess their defense policies. Nauseda emphasized that the removal of this ban is crucial for Lithuania to avoid being perceived as a weak link within NATO, especially given its proximity to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
While there are no immediate plans to store nuclear weapons in Lithuania, this change allows for greater flexibility in responding to evolving security threats. The backdrop of this decision includes ongoing military tensions, as evidenced by Russia's recent missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, which have prompted neighboring countries like Finland and Poland to take precautionary measures.
As NATO leaders prepare for a meeting in Turkey to discuss regional security, Lithuania's move may influence broader discussions on defense strategies within the alliance